42. Bringing Lazarus back to life (John 11:1-44)

In John 11:1-44, Jesus miraculously brings a dead man back to life. The man was named Lazarus and he was the brother to two women who were involved with Jesus' ministry. The women were named Martha and Mary. There are many people named Mary in the Bible; this Mary is not the same person as Jesus' mother.

Lazarus had been dead in a tomb for four days before Jesus arrived in the town of Bethany, which was about two miles or three kilometers from Jerusalem. When Jesus arrived, some of the people who were mourning with the sisters questioned whether Jesus, who was able to heal a blind man, could have done something to have prevented Lazarus from dying (John 11:37).

Jesus then went to the tomb that held Lazarus’ body:

38 Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”

Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?”

41 So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you listened to me. 42 I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude standing around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

44 He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth.

Jesus said to them, “Free him, and let him go.” (John 11:38-44, WEB)

Read more in the book Jesus the Miracle Worker: The 50 miracles of Jesus explained in chronological order (The Jesus Series) -- now available at amazon.

Next: 43. Healing 10 men suffering from leprosy (Luke 17:11-19)

Go to: List of all miracles involving Jesus